Ross Brinson, who trained 1947 Hollywood Gold Cup winner Cover Up, died
Thursday morning at the age of 101.
His son Gary, the starter at Hollywood Park for the last 29 years, said his
father passed away in his sleep at 5 a.m. (PDT).
“He was proud of winning the Gold Cup in track record time, but even more so
of winning the Sunset Handicap with the same horse just five days later,” Gary
said.
Ross also trained the popular Billy Ball, named for cantankerous baseball
manager Billy Martin, and a winner of his first four starts by a combined 22
lengths in 1983. Other stakes winners he conditioned included Savaii, heroine of
the 1962 Del Mar Oaks, and Prince Don B., who earned more than $400,000 while
competing in the mid-1980’s.
He retired with 352 victories from 2,687 starters. His horses earned more
than $3.14 million. He saddled his last starter as a trainer Sept. 11, 1999 at
Fairplex Park.
Ross’ other son, Clay, trains a string of 50 Thoroughbreds at Canterbury Park
in Minnesota. He is also survived by three grandchildren and three great
grandchildren.
“He never lost interest in the track,” Gary said. “He wanted to go to
(Hollywood Park) just last week.”
A native of Dardanelle, Arkansas, Ross Brinson was raised in Arizona and rode
Quarter Horses in match races as young man. He began his training career in
1932.
Services are pending.
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